Werner Schmitt, longstanding president of Ukraine Culture Network (and its precursor Legato Bern-Odesa) decided to step down from the board. He was deeply thanked by members, fellow board colleagues and others at a reception following the associaton’s Annual General Assembly on August 19 in Bern.
life.luck.loss" - a series of works of graphic art overlaid on photography. The motifs originate at a location where the artist nearly lost his life and a friend perished. A collaboration with graphic artist Andrii Horbal, who superimposed Holikov’s graphic expressions onto the photographs taken at the site.
The purpose of the Ukraine Culture Network (UCN), an association under Swiss law, is to initiate and nurture partnerships between the culture spheres of Ukraine and other European countries to increase visibility of Ukrainian culture and cultural heritage. With the support of UCN, Ukrainian artists can access new audiences and markets. UCN can also support the development of art education in Ukraine through exchange programs and sharing of best practices.
On a practical level, UCN facilitates matchmaking between Ukrainian artists/culture institutions and partners (such as curators, event organisers, culture institutions, other artists, and sponsors) from other European countries. Through UCN, they meet and explore potential collaborations, e.g. productions, exhibitions, concerts, funding, artist-in-residence positions, inclusion of Ukrainian artists into productions, ensembles, or casts, and temporary exile for Ukrainian artists and artefacts. UCN encourages cultural institutions to include Ukrainian components as a natural part of their operations. In addition, UCN organises its own culture events to raise awareness of Ukrainian culture and raises funds to these ends.